According to an order, every independent candidate will have to mention three preferences of the symbols chosen in his nomination papers.
Independent candidates contesting the Delhi Municipal elections this year will have an interesting mix of around 200 election symbols to choose from, including ‘Ganna Kisan’ (sugarcane farmer), ‘Nagrik’ (citizen), bowl of noodles, ice cream, variety of Includes election symbols. Items of daily use, fruits, vegetables and kitchen appliances.
The State Election Commission, Delhi has notified that elections for 272 wards of the three municipal corporations are to be held in April. The Commission on Friday released a list of 197 election symbols in its ‘Delhi Municipal Corporation Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 2022’.
The ‘free symbols’ for candidates from independents and unrecognized parties include fruits such as apples, grapes and pineapples; Food items such as biscuits, cakes, breads; Kitchen items like pressure cooker, mixer, bread roller and many other electronic items. Some relatively obscure symbols such as the lamppost, gift pack, expansion board, wall hook, envelope and door handle also find a place in the list.
As per the order, each independent candidate shall mention three preferences of the chosen symbols in his nomination papers. If more than one candidate appears for the same symbol, the Returning Officer of the election will conduct a draw for allotment of the symbol. candidates of national parties including All India Trinamool Congress, BSP, BJP, CPI, CPI(M), Indian National Congress; And reserved election symbols will be allotted to Meghalaya-based National People’s Party.
The ‘broom’ symbol has been allotted to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), recognized as the “Delhi State Party” by the Election Commission of India, the order said.
In another order, the commission also said that the maximum limit of expenditure to be incurred by a candidate in the ward elections of three municipal corporations would be Rs 8 lakh. The North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations have 104 wards each. East Delhi Municipal Corporation has 64 wards. Half the wards are reserved for women candidates. There are also reserved wards for Scheduled Caste candidates.
In the last MCD elections in Delhi, the BJP registered an impressive victory, returning to power by winning 181 of the 272 wards in the three corporations. The party’s nearest rival AAP won only 49 wards, while Congress won 31 wards in the election. Independent candidates won three in North Delhi, four in South Delhi and one ward in East Delhi Municipal Corporation.
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